CaliToday (25/11/2025): President Donald J. Trump's high-stakes diplomatic effort to rapidly negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine has hit a major roadblock after the Kremlin flatly rejected an alternative peace proposal drafted by the European Union.
According to a report by Reuters, Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov told reporters in Moscow that the European text was "absolutely unconstructive" and "unacceptable to us." This message sends a clear signal that Moscow is only willing to engage with the initial 28-point plan put forth by the U.S. administration, effectively dismissing any revisions originating from Brussels.
The Diplomatic Divide: US vs. EU Frameworks
The original U.S. peace plan, unveiled by the Trump administration last week, has been met with significant apprehension in Kyiv and several European capitals. Critics voiced concerns that the American draft may offer concessions to Moscow on critical issues, including the sequencing of the agreement, NATO's role, and territorial recognition.
Seeking common ground, the European Union took the initiative to draft a more extensive revision, specifically addressing contentious points related to Ukraine's borders and its relationship with NATO. Moscow's immediate rejection of the EU's draft highlights a crucial diplomatic challenge: the West is divided on the negotiating framework precisely when President Trump is striving to present a unified front to compel Russia and Ukraine toward a final agreement.
Kyiv Fights for Territorial Integrity
While the Kremlin rejects the European approach, the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations have continued tense, round-the-clock negotiations in Geneva to refine the American draft.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the document as a "living, editable plan," underscoring the dynamic nature of the talks with the Ukrainian delegation, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy publicly identified the most significant obstacle as Russia’s demand for the international community to acknowledge its sovereignty over what he terms "stolen territories."
Ukrainian officials believe the revised American draft now "largely reflects the main priorities" of Kyiv, suggesting that their pushback on the hardest concessions is having an impact.
Putin's Calculated Warning
Further complicating the delicate situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin weighed in, stating that the American plan "could" serve as a foundation for peace but only if Kyiv accepts it. He issued a stark warning, adding that Russian forces "will advance further" should Kyiv reject the talks, increasing military pressure to force a decision.
Reuters suggests Moscow finds "many acceptable points" in the U.S. proposal, clearly positioning it as the sole document they are willing to discuss. This places immense pressure on President Trump: he must now persuade both Ukraine and the reluctant European allies to consolidate their positions within the U.S. framework if he hopes to establish a united front and accelerate the peace process as promised.